Just like 95 percent of the games this season, the Miami Heat built a double digit lead in the first half and blew it. At least it feels that way.
The Heat were up 17 against one of the worst teams in the league, the Charlotte Hornets. Instead of putting away a bad team like contenders--heck, even moderately good teams--would do, the Heat showed why they are far from elite as they blew another massive lead and fell to the Hornets 105-102 Monday night at Kaseya Center.
The Heat have a long list of embarrassing losses, but Monday night's defeat might be the worst. Losing to the Hornets, a team that had no division wins this season coming into the night, and whose last win in Miami came in 2021, highlights how much of a nightmare this season is for the Heat.
One of the worst Heat seasons in a long time.
From a Heat legend in Jimmy Butler exiting how he did to the Heat constantly blowing leads, this has become one of the most joyless and soul-sucking years a Heat fan can endure. Even when Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo show out such as Herro's heroic performance against the Detroit Pistons and Adebayo's most recent performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat still managed to lose those games.
This is like being trapped in a movie theater watching the worst movie of the year until you memorize every word from start to finish. People can break down what the Heat can do differently to prevent blowing these leads. But honestly, what is the point? I hate to be so negative, but with the regular season reaching it's final stretch, it would be more interesting to see the Sioux Falls Skyforce called up and play the rest of the season.
At least Heat Nation wouldn't know what to expect instead of knowing that once the Heat build a lead, they'll fold as soon as the other team makes a run. There's always one moment in these games where you just know that the Heat are going to choke the lead.
I had a feeling the meltdown was going to happen once Haywood Highsmith fouled Malachi Flynn shooting an ill advised three. After Flynn knocked down all his free throws to cut the lead to six, the Heat turned the ball over the following possession which led to a LaMelo Ball 3-pointer. Just like that, Miami found themselves in a dog fight against a team that has nothing to play for.
At this point, I need Agent J from Men in Black to come to life and erase my memory from this season. The only saving grace for the Heat is if they finally get rewarded for not blantantly tanking and earn a top three pick in the lottery if they miss the playoffs. And even then, that would be a lot to ask for.